Scottish Hill Climb Championships - Bonnyton Moore, Eaglesham
Saturday 14th October, 2006
by Ed Hood

Jason MacIntyre (Velo Ecosse) made it a neat half dozen Scottish individual titles for 2006 with a 16 second winning margin over fast-improving Irishman, Raymond Wilson (Dunfermline CC) in the Scottish Hill Climb Championship on the Bonnyton Moor climb near Eaglesham on Saturday afternoon.

West of Scotland Hill Climb Champion, Teessider Chris Smart (Glasgow Couriers) made it the proverbial Scotsman, Englishman and Irishman on the podium to take bronze.

MacIntyre also led Velo Ecosse to the team title with Scottish 100 mile record holder and former anti-gravity champion, Mark Atkinson in fourth place, backed by first time medalist, Silas Goldsworthy in seventh place.
It was pleasantly mild as the first rider, youth Gregor Robertson, revved off towards the skyline. Six youths started with Tom Dempster (Ayr Roads) least affected by Sir Isaac Newton's discovery.

It was not a course for the hill climb specialists or a fixed wheel; indeed winner MacIntyre clocked 24 mph at one point on the lower, rolling, less-demanding part of the course.

With first seeded rider, number 10 Arthur Doyle (Ivy CC), choosing to photograph the event rather than ride it, Steven Blom (Glasgow Couriers) off number 20 and a possible winning team counter if the Ecosse riders slipped-up, was first of the seeds. He won the "loudest wheezing of the day" award but had to settle for ninth in the championship. Stevie's team mate, Jim Cusick was his usual consistent self, taking an eventual sixth.
Four minutes behind Cusick was Eddie Cowle (Stirling Bike Club), looking good - this confirmed by an eventual fifth place.

Wilson ’s high-cadence technique made him fastest so far at number 37 but it was disappointing not to see Scottish Kilometer Champion Bruce Croall (City of Edinburgh) or tester-supreme, Carlos Riise (Shetland Wheelers) take the start.

Two of the three medals came from the last four riders on the sheet. Smart's time (he has the raw-boned look of a good climber) was second only to Wilson's. Stuart McGregor (C21) was next but eventual tenth was all he would get for all that pain. Penultimate starter and the only man on a low-pro, was the tester's tester - Mark Atkinson. By my watch there was very little between him and Smart, but the Couriers rider's game plan of a steady start and big finish paid dividends.

MacIntyre was impressive, on the bottom of the bars, where he stayed for virtually the whole ride - there was little doubt where the gold was going.

What they had to say:

Jason: “It’s my second hill climb title; I won it few years ago on Sheriffmuir. I’m just happy that the season is over; it’s hard to keep your motivation going at this stage of the season. People think that I can just turn-up and win, but that’s a long way from the truth, you have to train and prepare professionally to win any race. I had to drive three and a half hours this morning to race for three and a half minutes, so it’s not straightforward or easy. I’m looking forward to a little rest then building-up for next season. I would really like to do well at Girvan and in the British 10 championship. I think the Scottish 10 record is achievable too (19.29, Graeme Obree). I did a 19.49 this year so I definitely think it’s possible.”

Ray: “It was a good event but I must confess to looking forward to the season being finished. I took the bronze in the hill climb last year so I’m well pleased with silver today. I didn’t do any specific training for it - the Trossachs was the last event I peaked for. In a short race like this I think you can just turn-up and get through it on positive attitude and aggression - it’s only four minutes of pain after all. I’m going to have a little time off then start my build-up for next season in November. I’m looking forward to Girvan in the spring; I was terrified by the prospect this season but I think It’s too long since Scottish riders have done well there.” (And there was me thinking he was Irish!)."

Chris: “It’s my first championship medal, I’m actually from Teesside but I’ve been with the Couriers for two years now so there are no problems about my eligibility. I came over yesterday to check the climb out but ended-up breaking a carbon crank on my good bike so I had to ride today on my second bike. My race strategy was top ride the first part steady (in the event I maybe took it too easy), then ride the top, steep part flat-out and it worked-out well for me.”

Full Result